Post by crudo on Jan 11, 2006 18:29:56 GMT -5
Turlock bans marijuana stores
Temporary halt gives City Council 45 days to study, decide on action
By LORENA ANDERSON
BEE STAFF WRITER
Last Updated: January 11, 2006, 05:00:38 AM PST
TURLOCK — With little discussion or public comment Tuesday night, the City Council banned medical marijuana dispensaries within city limits, at least temporarily.
Council members voted unanimously to forbid the establishment of cannabis clubs for 45 days while they study the issue and decide on a permanent course of action.
Before the 45 days is up, city staff members will request an extension to a full year, and could ask for another 12 months. City Attorney Dick Burton said it might take at least that long to decide the medical marijuana issue in the state's appellate courts.
A public hearing on the moratorium drew only two citizens to the podium, both of whom are anticannabis.
Linda Taylor, an anti-drug advocate, said she favors stiffer penalties for drug users. She wants the city to ban dispensaries until state law can be changed "to reflect the majority of Stanislaus County voters, who were against Proposition 215," the state medical marijuana law passed in 1996.
Resident David Whiting told the council that as a former methamphetamine user, he sees harm in marijuana, even with a prescription.
The topic was heated last month in Modesto, when the City Council chose to close a dispensary on McHenry Avenue and ban all similar businesses. About 120 people showed up to speak there — many in favor of keeping the dispensary open — and the debate lasted nearly three hours.
There are no dispensaries in Turlock, but interim City Manager Tim Kerr said the council didn't want to wait for someone to propose one before it began looking at the arguments.
City Planning Manager Michael Cooke told the council that with other cities in the area banning dispensaries, Turlock would be a logical place to propose one.
Mayor Curt Andre pointed out that the discussion at Tuesday's meeting was not one of social issues.
"We'll have time to discuss our philosophies on the issue later," he said.
The council voted unanimously to spend $30,000 to recruit five new police officers and make two staffing changes within the Turlock Police Department that will provide promotion opportunities and a salary savings of $44,000.
One vacant captain's position will be converted to a lieutenant's job, and once it is filled, Kerr said, the department will have a lieutenant for each day's three work shifts. That's where the savings comes from.
A vacant communications supervisor slot will become a sergeant's job, giving the department nine sergeants.
Before the motions and votes, Councilman Kurt Vander Weide asked for a moment to show his "unrestrained" happiness that the city would get more officers.
Kerr said final numbers are not ready for release yet, but judging by the quarterly sales and property tax payments received so far, the city should have enough money to cover the cost of new officers.
"People have been spending more in our city," Councilman Billy Wallen said.
Kerr said there's no timeline on hiring, and if revenue projections aren't met, the city can decide not to fill the jobs.
However, Turlock has 66sworn officers now, which means there are about 1.9 officers for every 1,000 residents. The standard most cities use is 1.5 officers for every 1,000 residents, Kerr said. Hiring five brings the city closer to the standard and does not account for the growth the city is likely to face in coming years.
Andre said the goal is to have 10 officers as soon as possible but five right away.
The council also approved a $12,000 contract with a Modesto firm to begin asbestos abatement on the Carnegie Arts Center, which was gutted by fire in November. Kerr said the firm could begin the abatement work within the next few days.
The asbestos must be removed, he said, before structural engineers can get inside and evaluate the cost of rebuilding versus remodeling.
That evaluation will go to the city's recently established citizens advisory committee, whose members have not been chosen. That committee will make a recommendation to the council on the arts building's fate.
Bee staff writer Lorena Anderson can be reached at 667-1227 or landerson@modbee.com.
Temporary halt gives City Council 45 days to study, decide on action
By LORENA ANDERSON
BEE STAFF WRITER
Last Updated: January 11, 2006, 05:00:38 AM PST
TURLOCK — With little discussion or public comment Tuesday night, the City Council banned medical marijuana dispensaries within city limits, at least temporarily.
Council members voted unanimously to forbid the establishment of cannabis clubs for 45 days while they study the issue and decide on a permanent course of action.
Before the 45 days is up, city staff members will request an extension to a full year, and could ask for another 12 months. City Attorney Dick Burton said it might take at least that long to decide the medical marijuana issue in the state's appellate courts.
A public hearing on the moratorium drew only two citizens to the podium, both of whom are anticannabis.
Linda Taylor, an anti-drug advocate, said she favors stiffer penalties for drug users. She wants the city to ban dispensaries until state law can be changed "to reflect the majority of Stanislaus County voters, who were against Proposition 215," the state medical marijuana law passed in 1996.
Resident David Whiting told the council that as a former methamphetamine user, he sees harm in marijuana, even with a prescription.
The topic was heated last month in Modesto, when the City Council chose to close a dispensary on McHenry Avenue and ban all similar businesses. About 120 people showed up to speak there — many in favor of keeping the dispensary open — and the debate lasted nearly three hours.
There are no dispensaries in Turlock, but interim City Manager Tim Kerr said the council didn't want to wait for someone to propose one before it began looking at the arguments.
City Planning Manager Michael Cooke told the council that with other cities in the area banning dispensaries, Turlock would be a logical place to propose one.
Mayor Curt Andre pointed out that the discussion at Tuesday's meeting was not one of social issues.
"We'll have time to discuss our philosophies on the issue later," he said.
The council voted unanimously to spend $30,000 to recruit five new police officers and make two staffing changes within the Turlock Police Department that will provide promotion opportunities and a salary savings of $44,000.
One vacant captain's position will be converted to a lieutenant's job, and once it is filled, Kerr said, the department will have a lieutenant for each day's three work shifts. That's where the savings comes from.
A vacant communications supervisor slot will become a sergeant's job, giving the department nine sergeants.
Before the motions and votes, Councilman Kurt Vander Weide asked for a moment to show his "unrestrained" happiness that the city would get more officers.
Kerr said final numbers are not ready for release yet, but judging by the quarterly sales and property tax payments received so far, the city should have enough money to cover the cost of new officers.
"People have been spending more in our city," Councilman Billy Wallen said.
Kerr said there's no timeline on hiring, and if revenue projections aren't met, the city can decide not to fill the jobs.
However, Turlock has 66sworn officers now, which means there are about 1.9 officers for every 1,000 residents. The standard most cities use is 1.5 officers for every 1,000 residents, Kerr said. Hiring five brings the city closer to the standard and does not account for the growth the city is likely to face in coming years.
Andre said the goal is to have 10 officers as soon as possible but five right away.
The council also approved a $12,000 contract with a Modesto firm to begin asbestos abatement on the Carnegie Arts Center, which was gutted by fire in November. Kerr said the firm could begin the abatement work within the next few days.
The asbestos must be removed, he said, before structural engineers can get inside and evaluate the cost of rebuilding versus remodeling.
That evaluation will go to the city's recently established citizens advisory committee, whose members have not been chosen. That committee will make a recommendation to the council on the arts building's fate.
Bee staff writer Lorena Anderson can be reached at 667-1227 or landerson@modbee.com.